Sunday, July 7, 2013

Done and Dusted


These last few days have been a race toward the finish line of my 30 Days Pinterest challenge.


This project was supposed to be a baby quilt, but when I opened the package of batting, I saw the words "microwaveable" and "not safe around children"- I didn't even think to read the label at the store.

Instead of a quilt, I hand quilted placemats from left over fabric using painter's drop cloth as backing.

We have used the placemats 3 times already and they get softer each time I wash them.


The window seat cushion was a case not of "saving the best for last", but saving the hardest for last.

The plan was to use the left over white fabric from making slipcovers last summer- I am big on using what I have.

There was not enough for an 8 foot cushion so off to the store I went.

I could not believe my luck finding a 5 yard piece of red with blue and white stripes - the entire cost was less than the cost of 1 yard of the only other fabric I liked.

I made red checked pillows and made one of the red and blue stripe fabric, but it is just too much red.

I would love to say that the lobster and crab pillows are mine, but I borrowed them from my next door neighbor to see if I want white pillows.

I am heading to Home Goods tomorrow in the off chance that they still have the pillows.


One of the projects was  a cute little metal chair which I hoped to find in my parents' garage - no luck there.

 I decided that I could put quilts on the one metal chair I own.

3 quilts were too many so the extras went in a basket beneath the chair.


At the end, there were 2 projects left that I no longer wanted to do.

When I pinned the film reels, I was hoping to find some in my parents' garage - not in the cards.

And, when it came to painting my copper tub, I just couldn't do it.

To make it 30 projects in 30 days, I looked back at other projects I had done in the last 30 days and realized that both the the little flag table I painted and the Button Checkers tablecloth were things I had pinned.


Reflecting on my challenge, more than half of the projects were things I created,


quite a few were simply vignettes,


 only a few involved buying anything.


By far the most time consuming was the window seat cushion.

And now, as the saying goes, my personal challenge is "Done and Dusted".

48 comments:

  1. You are AMAZING! I have gotten as far as cutting out the forget me not petals for my brooch. That's it!

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  2. I make lists then decide not to do them. I am amazed at how good your projects are and that you followed your schedule. My hats off to you.
    Have a great week and looking forward to your new projects.
    Mary

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  3. Congratulations on an awesome accomplishment! Wow! I'm so impressed! I have to say that the trouble was well worth it on the seat cushion. It looks fantastic! I'll be rooting for you on the white pillows that you plan to shop for tomorrow. I think they look great! They brighten the area and carry some of the white you have through your house into that colorful area. Bravo! Can't wait to see what your next challenge is going to be.

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  4. Fantastic! So many awesome and creative things!

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  5. Yay! You did it! Quite the accomplishment. Mimi

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  6. Wow- You have really been a busy girl. LOVE that bench seat cushion. I have one of my own to tackle here, too- xo Diana

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  7. Oh my goodness. The place-mats are adorable. If you keep this up, you will be selling your things in the studio as well!

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  8. What an awesome job you did on your challenge...
    I'm challenged everyday...
    and I just try and get a little something done anyway! :)
    I like the place mats...in fact tomorrow I'm going to use some old towels I culled from the stacks of laundry this weekend, to make a place/eating mat for the dogs in the kitchen. There is still enough 'terry on the cloth' to be absorbant and I can line them with something pretty to go on top!
    kind of like my drying mats I made for the dishes a couple of years ago. :)
    You're my Pinterest project Hero!
    Pat

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  9. very clever to finish so many projects!
    i love your window seat area, cushions and the painting.
    x

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  10. Good Morning Carol, You are a human dynamo.... and I really mean that in the nicest way. You have not walked into retirement, but sprinted....you are amazing. I love the references to your mum and dad's garage when looking for things, check there first and if they don't have what you need, rethink it.
    I love the use of the chair for your quilts and adding the basket underneath the seat is a brilliant idea. The chair reminds my of the sort of chair I used to sit on at school, when I was a child.
    Have a lovely day, I just know it is going to be very productive.
    Best Wishes to you,
    Daphne

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  11. You're unbelievable Carol - and your dining area is something my dreams are made of - fabulous job on the cushion!!!
    XOXO

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  12. Wow, you are amazing to work on all these projects. The seat cushion is fabulous. Have a happy week ahead.

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  13. Oh wow! You get a gold star for taking that challenge on & getting so much accomplished! I love the placemats & the window seat cushion is fantastic! A job well done!

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  14. WOW you have been on a roll. So many pretty things. I never knew that some batting could say that. It is helpful to know that.

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  15. All your projects are so creative and beautiful ~ Wonderful work and great photos ~ Happy Day to you .

    Thanks for 'visiting.'

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  16. Fabulous, love the window seat cushion, so proud of you for completing 30 projects - great job!!!

    Mary
    P.S. I changed my "comment as..." link so don't know if this will help, let me know. Thanks.

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  17. Well congratulations on a job well done! It all looks charming. I can't believe you did all that in just 30 days! I hear you on saving the hardest for last. I've had my daughter's 8 foot window seat cushion in my garage for over a year waiting to be recovered. ugh

    I had a gift card to a cute little shop from my birthday and I used it to buy the button checkers. It's so darn cute and I can't wait to use it! Thanks for all your inspiration.

    Vickie

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  18. Oh my goodness! So many wonderful projects in so little time. You are one creative and motivated lady.

    I host a weekly link party called Seasonal Sundays and would love to have you link your creativity! You could link one a week - all summer long!

    - The Tablescaper

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  19. Girl, Im tired just seeing all you have done. I can't believe how much you have accomplished. Beautiful projects:)

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  20. I am so impressed! Not only did you complete your challenge, you excelled in all of your projects. That window seat cover is adorable. I'm still moving but hope to have my craft stuff out and able to create next week for Christmas in July!

    Linda

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    Replies
    1. Just read your comment. What is the Christmas in July event? Sounds like fun!

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  21. Hi Carol,
    Great job on the cushion. Love it. Wow congrats on completing your challenge and everything is so amazing. Now take a Nap!!!!!!
    Kris

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  22. Oh my gosh you are amazing! That's wonderful that you completed so many projects. That was quite a challenge!

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  23. And you still find time to blog? And walk on the beach? You really are amazing and your projects are fabulous! I'm working on organization. I'll be glad to get back to creating! Sweet hugs!

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  24. What an accomplishment! I like how you reflected and categorized your projects at the end. I'm looking forward to where bloggers create too!

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  25. Carol, you amaze me girl! Love the cushion. Sure hope you find the pillows. They really do look so fun with it. Love all of the images! Oh, I must get pics to join in where bloggers create. Sounds like such a fun party.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  26. That was a pretty big challenge! I don't think I could do it either. You did good though. I love the placemats you made using different squares of fabric. Also love how your bench seat looks. The crab pillow looks adorable on it.

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  27. Oh my gosh Carol....I don't know how you did it!! Wow!! That was biting off a lot. :)
    But look at you! You did it! Wow!
    I do love those placemats. And thanks for sharing the other upcoming events. I've seen them floating around...they just might be what I need to do....Gotta work fast for the first one! Haha!!! We'll see what today brings.
    Blessings!

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  28. Carol, those are the prettiest place mats! Love them!

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  29. Beautiful all around and very inspiring!

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  30. OMG!!! How are you enduring that race for time? I could not even begin. My hat is off to you!!!
    Everything you did and created is just gorgeous. You are very talented and nimbled fingers...LOL
    XXOO Marie Antoinette

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  31. Wow! You're one busy gal! I don't know how you did this! Your projects are wonderful! You're very talented! I see so many inspiring ideas! Thanks for sharing these and congrats on finishing the race!!!

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  32. You are staying on your schedule.I wish I had more time to get things done.But summer is a busy time.Love your placemats!
    xx
    Anne

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  33. Carol, I have missed you SO MUCH. You have quickly become one of my favorite and must-see blogs, and I am so impressed with you. You have that "GO GET 'EM" spirit and this 30-day challenge is so impressive. Your cottage is stunning and the fact that you have been so busy with such creativity is equally impressive. I can't wait to catch up! Anita

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  34. You did such an amazing job on your personal challenge!! I never tire of seeing photos of your darling cottage. I love your handiwork that is showcased perfectly in each room. I really like the fabric you used for the cushion on your bench. So pretty!
    Mary Alice

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  35. Congratulations, you've created so many wonderful things, love the new tablemats and the new window seat cover.
    I'm looking forward to seeing what you do for Christmas in July. I saw the idea over at Bliss's, but I'm having a hard time getting my head round it !

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  36. Wow! You certainly did well with the challenge. You are so creative and everything looks great! Congratulations and keep up the wonderful creations as you start other challenges. Enjoy the rest of your week.

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  37. Congratulations in achieving your goal. You have created lovely things too. The cushion cover for the window seat looks great, I love the material.
    Sarah x

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  38. Well, I can honestly say that I'm truly amazed! :D
    I love your vignettes in your home. You truly have a gift. I love the quilted placemats and the little quilted and blanket-stitched hearts!

    xo,
    RJ

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  39. Whew, all those projects make my head spin! I bet the best ones were the ones you created yourself. :-) And to know they didn't cost much money either, is definitely a bonus.

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  40. Wow, you've been so busy! I love how bright and colorful your home is.

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  41. You are a rockstar!! That window seat is BEAUTIFUL! I love the stripes!!! Looks like such an inviting place to kick back!!! Christmas in July is probably smart...that way there is time to do things that would fall by the wayside!!! Good luck...can't wait to see more challenges!!!

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  42. Those place mats are awesome! And I am looking to install a window seat in our apartment so I will definitely be referencing this when it comes time to do so! I'm amazed at your ability to be so crafty and creative... such a gift!

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  43. Wow! You are awesome! Love every bit of your creations. You definately have the talents and the eye for beauty. Thanks so much for sharing all your projects. And to think you did 30 in 30 days. I really admire no only7 your creativity, but your ambition. Also, thanks so much for your visit to my blog. I hope to hear from you again. I love your blog, it is one of my fav's. Hugs, Karie

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  44. Such fun projects! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

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  45. Hi Carol! I wanted to stop in and thank you so very much for stopping in from the linky at the 'Little Red House' for Mosaic Monday's to see my entry on the 14th of June ... and for leaving your sweet comment! Life has been challenging for us since then, and it has taken me away from being online, but I am making my way back and looking forward to it again! Glad to hear you utilize PicMonkey, too!! :) I need to upgrade in order to use all they have! Well, as this is my first visit here, I have to say, you are one very creative lady .. I don't think I'd accomplish 30-in-30, but I have sure gotten some useful ideas from seeing yours! I've so enjoyed your images, and so glad you share your 'cottage by the sea' with us! It is without a doubt, a life I have imagined, but alas, it's a life here in the Midwest for us ... at least for now! You have a wonderful, and crafty, weekend! :)

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  46. Love the striped seat cushion and your neighbor's pillows are so cute. I hope you found some. Don't forget my party. :)

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  47. You have been busy, amazing accomplishments! Love your seating nook...so much charm! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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